Lower-limb muscle function is a determinant of exercise tolerance after lung resection surgery in patients with lung cancer.

We identified a strong significant relationship between peak aerobic capacity and quadriceps muscle function and lung diffusing capacity. 6MWD was significantly related to quadriceps muscle function but not to pulmonary function. These findings suggest that accurate assessment of lower-limb muscle strength has a role in the accurate interpretation of exercise tests and in selecting optimal candidates for resistance training interventions targeting the lower-limb muscles after resection surgery.